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Colorado Springs man arrested for child pornography

A Colorado Springs man is behind bars without bond on charges of child pornography.

Kenneth Wayne Hugo, 37 was ordered held without bond by a U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty after his arrest for the sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography, United States Attorney John Walsh and Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle announced. Hugo was remanded into custody at the conclusion of the detention hearing.

On January 23, 2013, the FBI and the Colorado Springs Police Department executed a search warrant at Hugo's residence. During the execution of the search warrant agents and officers found over 8,000 images of child pornography on Hugo's computer and media. During the course of the investigation agents and officers also found images of child pornography that Hugo himself created, including taking pictures of himself while fondling girls under the age of 12 years old. On that date Hugo was arrested and charged in state court for the molestation. On August 6, 2013, Hugo was indicted by a federal grand jury for documenting the molestation and other child pornography charges.

Count one of the indictment charges Hugo with the sexual exploitation of children. If convicted of that count he faces not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in federal prison, as well as a fine of not more than $250,000. Counts two and three of the indictment charge Hugo with distribution of child pornography. If convicted on those counts the defendant faces not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years in federal prison, as well as a fine of not more than $250,000 per count. Count four of the indictment charges Hugo with possession of child pornography. If convicted of that count the defendant faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, as well as a fine of not more than $250,000.

"Those who produce child pornography, victimizing children for others' enjoyment, belong in federal prison," said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. "By producing child pornography images, the children the defendant allegedly victimized will be harmed for the rest of their life."

"Combating the exploitation and victimization of children is one of the FBI's top priorities," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle. "With the arrest of Kenneth Hugo, the FBI, working in conjunction with state and local authorities, has removed another child predator from our community and curtailed the abusive actions of an individual actively preying on children."